上社御柱山出し
The Onbashira Festival is a ceremonial rebuilding event of Suwa Taisha, held every seven years during the zodiac years of the Tiger and Monkey.
There are four Suwa Taisha shrines in the Suwa region: Kamisha Honmiya in Suwa City, Kamisha Maemiya in Chino City, Shimosha Akimiya, and Shimosha Harumiya in Shimosuwa Town.
The Onbashira, representing the spirit of the deity, are erected at the four corners of each shrine. In the past, this included rebuilding the shrine structures.
The festival involves two main events: the "Yamadashi," where large fir trees are brought down from the mountains, and the "Satohiki," where they are transported to the shrines and erected. Both events last for three days each.
With both Kamisha and Shimosha participating, a total of 12 days are spent erecting eight pillars.
The slope where the Onbashira is transported
The trumpet and Kiyari team at the bottom of the slope
The Kamisha Onbashira Festival takes place during the first week of April.
From the Tsunaokiba site on the border of Chino City and Hara Village, the journey is approximately 12 kilometers.
With Kiyari songs and trumpet sounds, the procession is lively with participants shouting in unison.
A distinctive feature of Suwa Taisha Kamisha's Onbashira is the "Medoteko," V-shaped wooden structures attached to the front and back of the pillars, on which participants ride and wave the Onbe. This makes for a very lively procession.
The highlight is the Kiotoshi (tree falling), which takes place near Miyagawa Elementary School in Chino City.
Participants ride the Medoteko down a 30-degree, 40-meter slope.
While the Shimosha's Kiotoshi is more famous, the sight of participants clinging to the tall Medoteko adds a sense of excitement and spectacle.
The moment the Onbashira tilts as it falls
The front of the Onbashira landing
Sliding down the slope
The handlers at the rear also sliding down
The Onbashira comes to a stop
Surrounded by many people
Once the Onbashira is lowered, it is paraded through the village and across the 40-meter-wide Miyagawa River.
With the Kiyari song and shouts, the Onbashira is lowered into the river.
The river is up to 2.5 meters deep, so the parishioners dive in to pull the rope across.
Despite being well-maintained, the riverbank's slope is challenging.
It takes over an hour to cross the river, and until the Satohiki in May, the Onbashira is kept at the "Onbashira House."
Kiyari before crossing the river
The chief crosses the river
Shifting the weight forward
Hitting the water
Clinging to the Medoteko
Moving forward with shouts
Climbing the embankment
The final challenge of crossing the river
At the top of the Kiotoshi slope